The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed
amendments to regulations, as shown below. By November 23, 2020, the proposed
draft regulations may be viewed on the VMRC web calendar at https://mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm.
In accordance with Section 28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a special
public hearing by electronic communication means on the proposed amendments to
these regulations will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 9:30 AM. In
consideration of Governor Northam�s Executive Orders and public safety, the
public may only participate in this meeting via video/audio conference. All
persons interested in commenting are highly encouraged to submit written
comments prior to the meeting. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission may meet
by electronic communication means without a quorum of the public body or any
member of the governing board physically assembled at one location as the
Governor has declared a state of emergency in accordance with � 44-146.17.
Written public comments on the Fisheries Management Division proposals or on
fisheries items not on the agenda must be provided by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday,
December 2, 2020 to Patrick Geer, VMRC Fisheries Management Division, 380
Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia 23651, or sent by email to
fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov with
the subject heading �Commission Comments�.
Further instructions for
electronic meeting participation, public call-in information, and the meeting
web link will also be provided at
https://mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm in advance of the electronic meeting.
The Commission may review Fisheries Management Division items as early
as 9:30 a.m.
I. Chapter 4 VAC 20-510-10 et seq., �Pertaining
to Amberjack and Cobia�
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter
4 VAC 20-510-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia�, to establish a new
recreational season and vessel limit to comply with required reductions per
Amendment 1 of the Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for Atlantic Migratory
Group Cobia, as well as establish a prohibition on gaffing.
The purpose
of these amendments is comply with the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for
this species and potentially decrease undersized cobia harvest.
II. Chapter 4 VAC 20-1270-10 et seq., �Pertaining to Atlantic Menhaden�
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-1270-10 et seq.,
"Pertaining to Atlantic Menhaden�, to establish the 2021 Total Allowable Catch
per Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden
and the Ecological Reference Point Benchmark Assessment and to establish all
associated fishery sector allocations in response.
The purpose of these
amendments is comply with the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for this
species.
VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY, PLEASE ADVISE ELLEN BOLEN, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER (757-247-2269) NO LATER THAN FIVE WORK DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.
